Welcome to Chicago

    Back of the stockyards, over 100 years ago
      Immigrants were easy prey, as many now know

    Landlords would slap paint over rat-infested dwellings
      then twirling their moustaches, they’d begin selling 

    Those dilapidated structures with four-color brochures
      hawking them as 'visions of paradise,’ sure to allure 

    Prospective buyers, trembling ‘greenhorns’ 
      all too soon shorn

    Of their entire life savings, only to find ~
      that ‘rent’ was just half of what for they had signed

        
         (Precious hearts robbed blind)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Elliott Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Corruption back then, corruption now. Will say a pray for the working people tonight. So we'll penned, Gershon. Shalom :)
Wolf Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Thank you, Regina. A shameful history, certainly. ~ Gershon
Lawless Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 4:58 AM
History depletes itself
Wolf Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 8:32 PM
Yet another witty comment from 'The Wizard of Wit,' Mr. J.L. himself!
Jones Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 2:52 AM
Isn’t that still someone’s reality? Great poem! #newyork #chicago
Wolf Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 8:35 PM
It's not quite as bad today as it was 115 years ago: No stockyards, no twirling moustaches, and fewer immigrants trying to buy homes upon arrival.
Rodrigues Avatar
July 26, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Sad history.
Wolf Avatar
July 27, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Very sad, indeed. As chronicled so well by Upton Sinclair in his novel, 'The Jungle.' ~ Gershon
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